The Bounce Back

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

When it first started, I had to get used to being by myself all the time. That was unusual because I was always on the go: ministry, work, time with friends. My productivity was at its peak-even though I still procrastinated on certain things. That’s life lol.

As time went on, I got adjusted to being at home, but I didn’t seem to get as much done. I slept a lot, didn’t take showers for days, and worked on a health coaching certification that I never completed. Yet, I was getting into a routine of exercise and building two businesses while doing my meetings and ministry on zoom.

One thing that I really had to adapt to was the use of masks. I understood the importance for safety, but it took something away from me I didn’t know I needed for communication: reading lips.

I didn’t realize that I needed see what people said to “hear” what people were saying to me. I have a hard time filtering out what people say to me when there’s noise or other people taking around me. I can hear that better than the person in front of me. So reading lips made me able to listen with intent and communicate well. Then it was GONE!

So when people have on masks, I am very transparent with them that it’s harder for me to understand them and they may need to repeat themselves.

Another thing was smiling, I LOVE to smile at people and see them smile. I just about stopped because what was the point if they can’t see mine. Then my coach, Nikita Williams, mentioned that people can tell when you’re smiling. So I started and it was true! Even babies could tell I was smiling at them. It was back to normal with that even with my smile covered.

These are just a couple of examples of what I had to adapt to. Coming out of the pandemic was just as challenging at times due to anxiety, but that’s way too much to write about tonight.

Adaptation is so important in life. Sometimes it’s slower than others, but needed. I leaned a lot through the pandemic and will take these lessons with me.